Electric switch



L. KELLNEH.

ELECTRIC SWITCH. l APPLICATION man maize. 1919.

Patu Oei. 5, 1920;

3 SHEETS-SHEET l.V

:NVENOR 4&4 ATTORNEYS l.. KELLNEH.

ELECTRIC SWITCH.

APPLlcATloN man JUNE ze, 1919.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

{NVENTOR 'MI/111),', nl

mvENToR ATTORNEYS -L. KELLNER.

ELECTRLC SWITCH.

APPLICATION man- JuNsze, 1919.

Patented Oct. 5, '1920;

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3v.

. UNITED STATES APATENT orifice.

LOUIS KELLNER, OF NEW YORK, Y.

ELECTRIC SWITCH.

To all whom 'it may couccrn' i Be it known that I, LOUIS Kin-imma, a citizen of the United States,'and resident of the borough ot Manhattan, city, county, and State of New York, have invented certainnew land useful Improvements in Elecl tric Switches, (Case 5,) lowing Ais a specification.

This invention relates toiinprovements in armored or safety switches and is particularly applicable to fused armored switches.

In the accompanying drawings a triplepole, single-throw switch-is shown, but it will be obvious that the invention 'may be embodied insivitches of various other constructions. rEhe inventionhasifor one of its objects the provision otsimple and effective means for preventing access to the live parts of a switch while current is passing through the switch, and for preventing interference with the operation of movable parts of the switch.

Another object ofthe invention is to provide a fused switch Aso constructed that access to the fuse or fuses, the fuse clips or supports, and other live parts, is impossible except when thev switch has been operated through the medium of its operating handle to break the circuit. i

Another object of the invention is to proof which the folvide a fuse-inclosing means having a movable closure portion and shitable by the switch mechanism, when the same is oper` ated to c lose the circuit, to a position inwhich movement ot the closure to its open position is impossible.

.i A further object of the invention is to provide a switch having oscillatory terniinal-bridging means, fuses and fuse-hielosing means partaking of the oscillating .movement of the bridging means, and a stationary abutment or stop, the fuse-in` closing means havingl a hinged section which is held in closed position by said abutment when the bridging means is in oii.1) isi Speeicaton of Letters Patent.

nal-bridging means, and a casing'inclosingy the fuse-inclosing means and all of the switch mechanism except the operating handle, said casing having a closure adapted to' be lock-ed to prevent access to the line terminals and the bridging means. j In thel drawings, Figure 1 is a longitudinal'sectioii on t-he line I-I otFig. 4c,

showing the switch in on position;

l* ig. 2 a similar view showing the switch in off Vposition and the movable section" ot the tiise-inclosing means in open position.;

`Fig. '3 a transverse section on the line III-III of Fig. 1 f

Figi); a view partly in transverse section and partly in end elevation, showing the switch in on position;

Fig. 5 a detail view ot af .part of the switch-operating mechanism;

Fig. 6 a section on' the line VI-VI ot Fig. 5;

Figs.l 7, 8, 9 and 10 detail perspective views ot parts of the switch-operating mechanism;

Fig. 11 a plan vieivof the fuse-inclosing means; f

Fig. 12 a fragmentary section on XII- XH of Fig. 17

Fig. 13 a view similar to Fig. 12, showing the parts in the position assumed thereby when the switch is in oit position;

Fig. 14 a section on the line XIV-XIV ot Fig. 17; Y

Fig. 15 a section on the line XV-XV ot Fig. 17;

Fig. 16 a section on the line XVI-XVI the line The entire switch mechanism. excepting fthe operating handle l, is inclosed'within an outer easing of elongated rectangular torni having a base plate 2 formed of slate',

porcelain, or other suitable insulating material, side and end walls 8 and 4, preferably formed of sheet metal, and a metallic cover 5 hinged at G to oneof the end walls 4 ot the easing. A hasp 7 is hinged to the free end of the cover 5 and'engages over a staple 8 fixed to the Vadjacent end wall 4. A suitable padlock 9 is providcdlifor pre- Patented Oct. 5, 1920. Application filed June 26, 1919- Serial No. 306,903. I

venting openingof the cover by rnauthorized persons. One set of stationary contacts or line terminals are fixed to the base 2 adjacent one end of the casing, and the other set of stationary contacts or line terminals 11 are fixed to the inner side of a block 12 of insulating material which is secured toa metallic plate 13. The plate 13 is removably held by screws 14 to brackets 15 secured to the side walls 3 of the casing adjacent the cover 5 and at the opposite end of the casing from the contacts 10.

Eachof the movable contacts comprises a brush formed of a plurality of spring metal plates of different lengths. One set of movable contacts 16 are adapted to engage the contacts 10, and the lother set of movable contacts 17 are adapted to engage the contacts 11. The contacts 16 are held byv pairs of rivets 18-to the inner side of a rocking support or block 19 formed of insulating material, andthe contacts 17 are held to the under side of block 19 by pairs of rivet-s 20. A set of fuse clips 21 are held to the outer side of the rocking support 19 by the vrivets 18 which also serve to electrically connect the contacts 16 and fuseclips A set of fuse clips 22 are held to the cater side of support 19 by the rivets 20 whih also serve to electrically connect said clips'22 with the contacts 17. The clips 21 and 22 are electrically connected by fuses 23 whiclnare removably supported by the clips in the usual manner.

The support or block 19 is rigidly held intermediate its ends to a rocking or oscillating bar 24. The bar 24 is formed at one end with a shaft 25 journaled in a bracket 26 held to the base 2, and said bar' is formed at its opposite end with a shaft 27. A sleeve 29 surrounds shaft 27 substantially throughout the length ofthe shaft, the sleeve and shaft extending through a bearing in a bracket 28 held to the base 2. The outer ends ofthe sleeve and shaft project through an aperture 30 in the adjacent side wall 3 of the outer casing, and the switch-operating handle 1 is fixed on the outer end of the sleeve 29 by a suitable locking screw 31. lThe sleeve 29 is formed with an enlarged portion 32 intermediate its ends, said enlarged portion of the sleeve being formed at its ends with reduced angular portions 33 and 34. A springwinding "member 35 is rigidly held on 'the angular portion 34 of the sleeve, said member being formed with an arm, pin or projection 36 extending laterally inwardly between the free depending ends 37 n and`37b of a motor spring 37 which is coiled about the enlarged portion 32 of the sleeve.

A disk 38 is rigidly held to one end of the rocking bar 24 by suitable fastening devices 39, said disk being formed with a central aperture tlfroughwhich shaft 27 exand43 are slidably mounted in Ways 44 and Y 45 formed in one face of the disk 38," and said bolts are held in the ways by a.,face j plate 46 fixed to the disk. The latch bolts are normally forced outwardly by springs 47 and 48, the sliding movement of the bolts being limited by pins 49 and 50 projecting outwardly from the bolts 42 and 43, respectively, through slots 51 and' 52 in the -face plate 46. Latch bolt 42 is adapted to be retracted by a releasing lever 53 pivotally held intermediate its ends to disk 38 by. a pivot pin 54 and provided at its inner end with a slot 55 through which the pin 49 on the latch bolt extends. Latch bolt 43 is adapted 8,5 I

to be retracted by a releasing lever 56 pivotally held intermediate its ends to disk 38 by a.. pin ,57 and provided at its inner end with a slot 58 through which pin 50 on the bolt extends. The latch bolts are adapted to engage opposite sides of either of two` locking lugs or stops 59 and 60 projecting into a segmental recess 61 formed by cutting away the plate 41 at one side of the opening 40. The plate 4l is'also cut away to form a segmental recess 62vopposite the recess 61 in which a stop or lug 63 formed on the disk 38 is adapted to travel, said stop being adapted to engage shoulders 64 and 65 at opposite ends of the recess 62 to positively limit the extent of rotation of disk 38 in either direction. The recess 62, shoulders 64 and 65, and stop 6 3 may be omitted if desired. The disk 38 is provided with an arm, pin or projection 66 extending outwardly between the ends 37l and 37b of the motor spring 37. The latchreleasing levers are operated by av trip device or plate 67 xedon the angular portion 33 of sleeve 29 and formed with a pair of inwardly extendinglugs or projections 68 and 69 vadapted to engage and rock the releasing levers 53 and 56, respectively.

The fuses', fuse clips, and outer ends of rivets 18 and 20 are inclosed with a semi- .cylindrical inclosing casing formed by the rocking support 19, and a metal housing or inner casing having end walls 70 and a curved top wall having a fixed section 7l and a movable section or closure 72 hinged at 73 and normally held in closed position 'by a spring-pressed latch 74 held to the top 'section V71 and adapted to engage in an aperture 75 in closure 72. The latch 7 4 may be clined ianges 76 at the opposite sides of said opening, extending inwardly within the walls 70 of the fuse-inclosing means. At one endvoi the opening the top wall 5 1s 'formed with an inwardly extending flange 77 the-inner 4edgept which is substantially flush with the outer side of the hinged section 72 ot the fuse-inclosing casing, and at the opposite end off the opening said wall 5 is formed with a flange 78 the inner edge of which is substantially flush with the iixed section 71 of the fuse-inclosing casing. Vhen the switch is in ofi position the hinged section 72 of the fuse casing is in complete register with the opening in the wall 5 of the outer casing and is free to be swung outwardly as shown in Fig. 2, to permit access to the fuses upon rocking the hooked lend of the latch 'to release said khinged section. When the switch is in on 201 position, as shown in F ig. 1, the hinge 73 of section 72 is moved out of register with the opening in` wall 5 to a point within the outer casing, and an intermediate portion of said hinged section 72 is brought into register with a fixed abutment or stop formed by the inner end ot-fiange 77, thus preventing open- ,.ing. of the hinged section 72 until the switch '.is operated to break the circuit. It will be observed also that if the switch should be operated to close the circuit without irst closing section 72, said section will be automatically forced'to closed position by flange 77 and will be locked in closed position by latch 74. A.

lVith the vparts in the position'shown in Figs. 1, 4, 12, and 14 to 17, the switch mechanism may be operated to break the circuit by swinging the handle 1 in a clockwise direction, thus rotating sleeve 29 and the spring winding device 35 relatively to shaft 27 and disk 38 and causing arm 36 to move the end? 37 of the spring 37 away from the end 37" ot the s ring to store ower in said.

spring. The rotation of sleeve 29 also causes the tripv device 67 to rotate in a clockwise direction, the lug 68 of the trip, at the conclusion of the power storing movement ot handle l, engaging and rocking the releasing lever 53 to cause the same to `force latch bolt 424 inwardly out ot engagement with stop 59. W' hen latch bolt 42 is released trom stop 59 the disk' 38 will' be rotated in a clockwise directionby reason ot the engagement ot' end37b of spring 37 with the pin 66, thus rocking bar 24, the support 19 and parts mounted thereon to the position shown in Figs. 2 and 13, the latch 43 riding under stop (3() and snapping back of the same to lo'ckthe parts in off position. At the saine time, latch42 engages the opposite side ot stop (3() to prevent furtherprotation of disk 38. To restore the switch' to-on lposition the handle l is swung in the reverse direction, the arm 36 advancing end 37" of spring 37 to wind the spring, and lug (39 of lsupplemental door 79 closed.

the trip device G7 operating releasing lever 56 to retract latch bolt 13, whereupon the support 19 will be rocked in a counterclockwise position and the latch bolts will again engage stop 59. The outer sides of the'outer ends of the latch bolts are beveled as shown to permit the bolt-t2 to ride under stop 59 and bolt 113 to ride under stop 60 during movement of the switch to on and oit positions, respectively. It will be observed that the rocking supportis positively locked against movement in bot-h its-on and ofi positions, and can only be moved when the handle 1 is shifted suiiiciently to insure a snap action of the switch to either on or oil position, and that it is, therefore, impossible to obtain access to the interior ofthe fuse-inclosing casing except when the switch has been shifted to and locked in its on7 position by an operation of the handle 1.

In order to prevent accidental interference with the operation of the movable parts ofthe switch when handle 1 is actuated, a'cover or supplemental door 79 is hinged at 8O to the cover plate 5 of the outer casing, said cover having a curved top plateA vextendlng over the opening 1n cover plate 5 and having segmental side plates engaging the cover plate along opposite sides of the opening. The hinge 80 is preferably a spring hinge serving to normally hold the The door or cover 79 prevents interference with the movement of therocking support by engagement of a part ot the bodyoi a person, or engagement of any object, with the rocking Juse-inclosing casing, since the spring hinge 80 will automatically close the door 79 when the door is released and prevent anything engaging the fuse casing. The fuse-inclosing casing is preferably provided with the signs 81 and 82 adapted to register with a glass panel 83 in the supplemental cover 79 when the switch is in its coif and on7 positions, respectively.

It will be observed that access to the movable and stationary contacts is impossible except by unlocking the padlock? 9 and opening cover 5. It will also be noted that the contacts 11, the block 12 and plate 13 may be readily removed as a unit when cover 5 is opened to permit convenient access to the contacts 1l for connecting the line wires therewith or for any other purpose. v

lt will beobserved also that the movable contacts' are held to the rotatable support at opposite sides of the support, and that the fuses are electrically connected at their ends with the movable contacts and are mounted on the support transversely of the axis ot rotation of thesupport. This arrangement' is highly advantageous since .means for rotating the bridging means. to

make and break the circuit, said closure member being movable with the bridging means' and shiftable relatively thereto to expose the inclosed live parts of the switch, and means for holding said closure in closed position when the bridging means is in circuit closing position, said closure holding means being disengaged from the closure when the bridging means is in circuit breaking position.

2. In an electric switch, the combination of means inclosi'ng live parts of the switch, stationary contacts, contact-bridging means, means for rotating the bridging means yto .make and break the circuit, a closure member movable with the bridging means, and a relatively stationary abutment adapted to engage the closure member when the bridging means is rotated to con position to prevent opening of the closuremember.

3. In an electric switch, the combination ot stationary contacts, contact-bridging means, a rotatable support tor the bridging means, means including. an operating handle for rotating said snpportto make and break the circuit, a -asing inclosing the entire switch mechanism except the operating handle and having an opening in one wall thereof, -a closure member pivotally mounted on the support and adapted to be swung outwardly through said opening when the bridging means is in off position, and an abutment on the casing adapted to engage said closure member when the bridging means is in on position to prevent opeiiing of the closure inemben 4. In an electric switch, the combination of line terminals, a rotatable support, fused terminal-bridging means mounted on the support, a casing mounted on the support inclosing the fuse and fuse connections and. having a movable closure section, means Jfor rotating the support to make andbreak the circuit, and means out of the path ot the opening movement of said closure section when the circuit is broken adapted to prevent -opening of the closure section when the support is rotated to shift vthe bridging means to circuit-closing position.

5. In an electric switch, the combination of line terminals, a rotatable support, fused ternimal-bridging means mounted on the support, a casing mounted on the support inclosing the fuse and fuse connections and having a movable closure section, means for rotating the support` and a stationary abutwhen the bridging means is moved to on position to hold the 'closure section in closed position. v.

(3. In an electric switch, the combinatipn 'ot line terminals, a rotatable support, fused means toi' preventing opening ot the hinged.

section when the bridging means is in on position.

T. In an electric switch, the combination of line terminals, a rotatable support, fused terniiinil-bridging means mounted on the.

support, a casing mounted on the support inclosing the inse and ruse connections and having a hinged section shittable to permit access to the fuse and connections when the ing nieansvis in oit position, means bi'idg toi' rotating the support to move the bridging means to on and ott positions, and a stationar.7 abutment adapted to prevent an opening moveiuent of the hinged section when the bridging means is moved to on7 position. f

8. In an velectric. switch, Athe combination ot' line terminals, a rotatable support, fused terminal-bridging means mounted on the support, a casing mounted on the support inelosing the fuse and tusc connections and having a hinged section shittable to permit access to the fuse and connections when the bridging means is in ott position, an operating handle, means controlled b v. the handle tor rotating the support, means for. automatically locking the support in its on and ofl positions, means controlled b v movement ot the handle to a position to shift the support to on7 or oit position for releasing the support, and means for engaging the hinged 'section when the support is moved to Von position to prevent opening ot' said section.

5). In an electric switch, the combination ot stationary contacts, a rocking support, movable contacts held to said support, fuseholding means mounted on the support and connected with the movable contacts, .a fuse supported in the fuse-holding means, means mounted on the support ini-losing the tuse and fuse-holding means and embodying a movable cover member, means for rocking the support to move the movable contacts into and out ot engagement with ther stationnient adapted to engage the closure section ary contacts, and stationary means adapted to engage said cover member when the movable contacts are in on position to prevent opening of thecover member.

I 10. In an electric switch, the combination of stationary contacts, a rocking s upport, movable contacts held to said support, fuse- .holding means mounted on the `support and connected with the movable contacts` a fuse supported in the fuse-holding means, `a casing mounted on the 'support inclosing the fuse and fuse-holding means and having a hinged section, means for rocking the support to move the movable contacts to on land off77 positions, and a stationary abutment adapted to engage the outer side of the hinged section when the movable contacts are in on position to prevent opening ot said section.

11. In an electric switch, the combination.

adapted to force the hinged section to closed position upon an operation of the switch to close the circuit with said hinged section in open position.

12. In an electric switch, the combination ot stationary contacts, a rocking support, movable contacts held to said support,A fuseholding means mounted on theI support and connected with the movable contacts, a't'use supported in the fuse-holding means, an

inner casing mounted on the support inclos-.

ing the fuse and fuse-holding means and having a hinged section, an operating handle, means operated by said handle tor rocking the support, and an outer casing inclosing the entire switch mechanism except i said handle and having an opening in one Vall through which thc hinged section or the inner aising is adapted to swing when the switch is in. off position, said hinged section being held against opening by engagement ot the samewith one, edge of the opening in the outer casing when the switch is in on position.

' 13. ln an electric switch, the combination of stationary contacts, a rocking support, movable contacts held to said support, fuseholding means mounted on the support and connected with th'e movable contacts, a fuse supported in the .fuse-holdingmeans, an in'- nc' casing mounted on the support inclosing the fuse and fuse-holding means and having a hinged section, an operating handle, means operated by said handlev for rocking the support, an outer casing inclosing the entire switch mechanism except said handle and having an opening in one wall through which the hinged section of the inner casing is adapted to swing when the switch is in oli position, said hinged section being held against opening by engagement of the same with one edge of the opening in thc outer casing when the switch is in (m" position, and a closure member held to the outer casing adapted 'to cover and uncover the opening in the wall of said casing.

1i. In an electric switch, the combination of stationary contacts, a rocking support, movable contacts held to said support, Jfuseholding means mounted on the support and connected with the movable contacts, a fuse supported in the fuse-holding means, an inner casing mounted on the support inclosing the fuse and fuse-holding means and having a hinged section, an operating handle` means operated by said handle for rocking the support, an outer casing inclosing the entire switch mechanism except said handle and having an opening in one wall throughwhich the hinged section of the inner casing is adapted to swing when the switch is in oit position, said hinged sec` tion being held against opening by engagement of the same with one edge of the opening in the outer asing when the switch is in on position, the wall of the outer cas ing having said opening therein being hinged to the casing, and means for locking the hinged wall of the outer casing in closed position.

l5. ln an electric switch, the combination ot' stationary contacts, a rocking support, movable contacts held to said support, fuseholding means mounted on the support and connected with the mo vable contacts, a fuse supported in the fuse-holdingmeans, an inner casing mounted on the support inclosing the fuse and fuse-holding means and having a hinged section, an operating handie, means operated by said handle for rocking the support, an outer casing inclosing the, entire switch mechanism except said handle and having au opening in one, wall through which the hinged section of the inner casing` is adapted to swing when the switch is in oft position, said hinged section being held againstopening/by engagement ot' the same with one edge, ot the opening in the outer `asing when the switch is in onf position, a closure member adapted to cover and uncover the opening in the outer casing` and a spring hinge connecting said member to the outer casing and normallyholdng the member in closed position.

lib

16. In an electric switch, the combination of an outer casing having an opening in one ing a hinged section, an operating handle' located exteriorly of the outer casing, means within the outer casing controlled by said handlefor rotating the support to shift thief movable contacts to on and off position i and to move the hinge of the hinged section of the inner casing toward and from one edge of the opening in the outer casing.

17. In an electric switch, the combination of a rotatable fuse-inclosing casing having a hinged door, a fuse mounted in the casing, contacts electrically connected Withvthe fuse and rotatable with the casing, stationary contacts adapted to be engaged by said movable contacts, a stationary abutment, and means for rotating the support, said fuse being mounted on the support transversely of the axis of rotation of the support and the hinge of said door being parallel With said support, a fuse mounted on the support transversely of the axis of rotation of' Uhe support, a casing mounted Aon the support inclosing the fuse and having al hinged closure section, stationary contacts, a stationary outer casing'u inclosing the stationary and movable contacts and the fuse-inclosing casing and having an opening in one wall thereof through which the closure section of the fuse-inclosing casing may swing, and means embodying a handle located exteriorly of the outer casing for rotating the support to shift the movable contacts into and out of engagement with the stationary contacts and to shift the hinge of the closure section of the fuse-inclosing casing toward and from one edge of the'opening in the outer casing.

In testimony whereof I hereunto aflix my signature.

LOUISv KELLNER. 

